Electronics Recycling

Starting with...Computers

When did you last get a new computer? For me it was last month. (Well, it wasn't brand new, but it was new to me). It's faster, has more room and allows me to use upgraded programs that are supposed to make my life easier (the jury is still out on that one). The average life span of a personal computer has shrunk from 4-5 years to a mere two years.

The obvious question is: what happened to my old computer? The original plan was for it to be passed on to others. Life got in the way and the old computer died instead of going on to make someone else's life miserable. So it was salvaged for parts and the remains are sitting waiting for an end-of-life solution (and waiting, and waiting...).

Between 1992 and 2000, Canadians disposed of enough personal computers to fill about 1,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Unfortunately, only 10 per cent of these computers were recycled. The amount of disposed computers is expected to double to 72,000 tonnes in 2005.

Environment Canada estimated that, in 1999, personal computer products discarded in Canada contained:

• 1,356 tonnes of lead (used in monitors as a radiation shield and in tin-lead solder)
• 2.0 tonnes of cadmium (used in batteries for older laptops, as a plastic stabilizer, and as a phosphorescent coating on the inside of fluorescent monitors )
• Half a tonne of mercury (back light for laptop displays or flat screens)

These elements are toxic and can contaminate air, water and land. Not to mention that computers also contain elements which could be reused or recycled, like plastic, metals, and glass.

In Canada, work on electronic stewardship programs (where a fee on new computers would fund recycling of old ones) progresses. Industry is working on a national program, with BC and Alberta being the first off the mark. The initial focus for all groups is on computers, monitors, laptops, printers and TVs.

And expanding...

Once the current electronic stewardship programs are established, there are many other products that will need attention:

In 2002, Canadians discarded:

• Colour TVs - 1.958 million
• Combination TV/VCRs - 17,000
• Microwave Ovens - 825,000
• Toasters - 1.354 million
• Blenders - 223,000
• Mixers - 523,000
• Coffee Makers - 1.461 million
• VCRS - 1.108 million
• DVD Players - 9,000
• Camcorders - 232,000
• Portable CD Players - 575,000
• Clock Radios - 1.107 million
• Vacuum Cleaners - 691,000

[Source: Environment Canada]

In all, Canadians tossed away about 155,000 tonnes of this stuff, the equivalent weight of 22,760 full-grown African elephants. While not a major part of the residential waste stream (1.23%), these products contain many toxic elements and recyclable components. They also had considerable energy and resources go into their original manufacture and deserve the chance to be made into new things.

I hope my old computer won't have to wait too long...

(Source: WasteWatch, December 2003)

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